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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally apologized to Qatar after Israeli warplanes carried out an airstrike in Doha that was meant to target senior Hamas officials. The strike, reported by Politico, killed a Qatari bodyguard and triggered anger from Qatari leaders, who condemned the violation of their sovereignty.
The incident quickly drew international attention and raised concerns about Israel’s military actions extending beyond Gaza. According to Politico, U.S. President Donald Trump, who is mediating peace talks between Israel and Hamas, personally urged Netanyahu to apologize to keep negotiations on track.
Following Trump’s advice, Netanyahu called Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to express regret, admit the mistake, and assure that such actions would not be repeated.
Trump reportedly warned Netanyahu that Israel was “losing the media war” with Hamas and pushed him to act with more caution. Analysts say the rare apology highlights U.S. pressure on Israel as well as Qatar’s importance in ongoing peace efforts.
While the apology may ease immediate tensions, experts believe the strike has further complicated fragile peace talks. Long-term trust between Israel, Qatar, and other regional players remains uncertain, though observers note that keeping Qatar engaged is vital for regional stability.